Natural Nepal

Here I am in the beautiful, natural and picturesque Nepal. I’m visiting friends and will only be in Nepal for a total of 10 days, sadly it’s already halfway through the trip. Time just goes too quickly when one travels. This is a quick summary of what I have been doing so far with many more detailed articles and tips to come from this interesting and dynamic country.

2nd Dec

• Delhi- Kathmandu flight delayed 1.5 hours, arrived 9.30am.
• Quick stop to the house I would be staying in with my friend Sundar.
• Drive to Pokhara, approx. 5 hours. 200km from Kathmandu.
• Drove through Dhading District, famous for supply of vegetables of all varieties.
• Malekhu- Famous for fish, also a spot for young Nepalese to come and party.
• Manakamana – 10 minute cable car to the top where there is a temple which is said to make all your dreams come true. Very Holy Place.
• Arrived Pokhara 6pm. Walk to Lakeside.

3^rd Dec

POHKARA

• Western Region.
• Lake Fewa, boat rides and temple Talbarahi.

• Breakfast at the FEWA LAKE RESTAURANT.
• Motorbike is a great way to get around the Pokhara and really see the 360 degree great view.
• Devi’s Falls.
• Gupteshower Caves (no photos allowed).
• Bindabasini Temple – Saw a wedding take place.
• Seti Gorge- See the raging river coming under Pokara from the melting       glaciers
• Mahendra Caves.
• Lunch at Thi’k Tha’k. Located in the Tourist Area. Great Nepali and western cuisine.
• Saw Disabled Day March through a town of greater Pokhara.
• Lake Begnash – Most serene and calm place with boat rides and fish farms.

• Dinner at our lovely little hotel, HOLIDAY POKHARA HOTEL.

4^th Dec

POKHARA – CHITWAN

• STRIKE in Damauli.  2 hours, no cars allowed to go through – UN arrived   and only ambulances allowed through. Regular occurence in Nepal these days.
• Drove through Muglin, main HUB for bus and car transportation to the       rest of Nepal and the divide for Pokhara to the Southern and Western part of Nepal.
• Souraha, CHITWAN. Chitwan National Park is a tourist hot spot for the       elephant riding, river activities- canoeing, fishing and boating, jungle treks and relaxing.
• Boat ride in canoe down the river to ELEPHANT BREEDING CENTRE. Less than Aus$1 entry and I got to pat and name a baby elephant, Malachyte.

• Cocktails at the riverbank – SUNSET VIEW RESTAURANT & BAR.
• Tharu Culture Program at night. Stick and peacock dance which is specific to this region and the ethnic group of the Tharu people.

5^th Dec

CHITWAN – KATHMANDU

• Breakfast in our hotel,  RIVERSIDE HOTEL, next to Budagandaki River
• Go to Baghmara (translation Tiger Killer) for Elephant Ride, 1450 rps           (Nepalese rupees) for 1.5 hours through Jungle. We saw deer, peacocks,     kingfishers, 2 x rhino plus a baby rhino and more birds.

• Drive back to Kathmandu at 12pm.
• Noticed NARANYAN GHAT, this is where the road divides to lead to the  Western part (Lumbini, birth place of Buddha in this direction, road to        Kathmandu and the Southern and Eastern part. Interesting and busy section of the country.
• Lunch at the lovely RIVERSIDE VILLAGE RESORT. Luxurious hotel on the river bank with white water rafting nearby, trekking, swimming pool and relaxation.
• Return to Kathmandu 4.5 hours from Chitwan by car, perhaps 6 hours in   the bus with no strikes.
• Dinner in the home of my friendSundar with wife, daughter and two nieces.  Amazing experience to stay in a real Nepali home.

6^th Dec

HOME DAY, Kathmandu

• Typical Nepali day at home\due to STRIKE. No cars, bikes or buses               allowed to move. Most shops closed. Cars were burnt in the centre of            Kathmandu in the morning as they were breaking the rules of the strike,     according to the Maoists.
• Walk around the local area to visit the carpenter who is making the               families furniture.
• Washed my own clothes BY HAND. Now I am true Nepali women. Washing  the clothes on the rooftop with the Himalayas in the background.
• Made traditional Nepali food, Momo’s, in the afternoon with all the girls. Delicious!
• After 6pm, strike lifted. Went to Thamel, the main tourist area, to visit my  friend from Australia, photographer Krystle Wright                             (www.wrightfoto.com.au)
• Dinner and drinks at the famous RUMDOODLE 40,000 ½ feet. Trekkers   can right on giant foot placards and stick them all over the restaurant

The adventures in Nepal continue. Stay tuned!

NB: Strikes are currently occurring on a regular basis in Nepal due to the Maoist movement. The UCPN Maoist ‘political’ group plan the strikes across the country, stopping most trade, all transport movements and bringing the country to a practical standstill. Tourists and visitors from other countries should know that it is still safe to be in Nepal at these times and flights will still be operating out of most airports. The strikes are more of an inconvenience to tourists for transport reasons and lack of opportunity to see sites, rather than a threat or danger.